"And you dear wife, how are you?"
Oh Alistair, why do I have to return to warden business? I wanted to stay in court with you… Rule as your queen. Ah, what's the use? We knew this would happen. That one of us would have to return to their duties, and of course the King couldn't do it… Yet the Queen could? I guess they just called me Warden Commander now… I yearn to hear the words, 'Hail, your highness, Queen of Ferelden.' Even as a Cousland, I would never had dared to dream of being Queen. Now that I am, what do I do? Being their hero as well as their queen made it even more awkward.
Ah… time to return to my duties… maybe I could get Alistair down here for awhile. Could make it some official warden business. 'wink wink' Haha, it's a wonder that the Queen herself can't see the King unless the darkspawn are attacking!
"Warden Commander."
'sigh' What can a Warden Commander do, ay?
"Coming Seneschal…"
As I wake up, I express my tiredness of staying up late training and attending to Warden duties with a huge yawn that sets off a chain of them among the new warden recruits. I chuckle to myself thinking that it's like a mexican wave… only it was involuntary.
"Warden Commander, you have several letters concerning matters of the Arling of Amaranthine. And, what I assume are two personal ones. One from your brother, Lord Fergus and the other from his majesty." His majesty? Alistair! Oh, maker how long has it been? Since I heard his voice? Varel must have seen my face as for a few minutes it had been on the brink of tears. It was all too much to handle. Fergus? Alistair? Maker I needed a break.
"T-thank you, Seneschal. I need some time to get things in order. Tell Oghren to train the two-handed recruits, Nathaniel the archers and find some way to drag Anders into training the mages… I-I…" I lower my gaze to the floor and a tear drops down my right cheek.
"Commander? Is everything alright?" Varel speaks in a low tone so that we are not heard.
"Of course Seneschal. I must attend to this business right away. If I do not come out for mid day sparring then do not expect me for the rest of the day. Everything clear?" I wipe the tear off my face with a fast swipe and resume my composure as a warrior of the Cousland family.
"Loudly, Comm- I mean, your highness." He winks at me and goes off to give the orders.
As I enter the study in the room adjoined to my chambers, I place the letters on the desk. Amaranthine business or… personal business? Although tempting, I had to go with Warden business over personal. First and for most I was a warden, at least that was what Duncan had instilled in us at Ostagar.
Duncan… Alistair would be displaying his puppy dog eyes if he was listening right now. Oh, I promised myself not to dwell on things too much. Duncan was a great friend to Alistair and a saviour to me. Helping me escape Highever in exchange for a simple life may have been hard then but I realise now that had it not been for Duncan than Alistair and I- Don't dwell! How am I ever going to get things done while thinking of them? Sinking into my chair, I close my eyes and am lost to the fade.
"Warden Commander."
Ah, was someone coming to disturb my dreams again? I wake up from my hazy dream with a sudden jolt, only to find many of my close wardens standing around me. I was no longer in my chair.
"Commander?" Everyone has a sad look on their face… I wonder why.
I sit up in the bed…
My body feels thin and looks transparent…
I scream.
"Kahhhhh!" Falling out of my chair, I realise it had all been a dream. Dream, huh? Tears roll down my face as I feel relieved to be alive.
A few guards and Seneschal Varel run into the study to help me up.
"We heard a scream. Are you hurt, your highness?" I loved it when someone called me like that. Called me as the Queen and not a common Warden Commander who was not married to the King, Alistair. I think Varel realised he hit a sweet spot because he chose to make it a habit to call me as the Queen and everyone else had picked up on it too.
"No… I'm fine… a little dizzy and restless, but fine nonetheless."
"I will send Anders in to check on you, for now I must request that you rest or the King himself; maker bless the rule of our King Alistair, will have all the heads in Vigil's keep."
"Much appreciated." Varel left the room quietly with the guards and I returned to the pile of letters on the desk. "It can't hurt to take time for myself. After all, I am the Queen." Picking up the letter from Fergus first, so as to raise the excitement slowly, I read:
Dearest sister, Queen Nymeria Theirin.
It is my greatest wish that you are doing well in all things and that you are doing the best for Ferelden and, most importantly yourself as well. I have noticed for awhile but had hesitated to mention, that you need to make sure you are happy before you can make others happy. I understand that the blight was a different matter and that you had no choice, but now you do. You may be a warden first, queen second and a Cousland third but where does Nymeria fit in? I know I should not be lecturing the Queen on such things, but I worry for you. If only mother and father could see you now. How proud they would be of the things you have accomplished in just over a year. And father would say, "You have grown into a fine woman but you will always be my pup." with tears rolling down his face. And the Queen to boot? Haha, I reckon that Nan would have a fit! Ahhh… enough reminiscing, Fergus.
Anyway, I did not mean to lecture you with this letter, (even though I am your elder brother and have full permission to do so.) I wanted to tell you something of how things are going over here. Although sad over the death of my beloved Oriana and my dear Oren, I have realised that the Couslands must have an heir. I am currently engaged and happy with my new fiance. She said she would love to meet you in person one day, especially when we get married, seeming as you will be her sister in law.
Oh, that also reminds me! Your husband, the King called me to court to discuss strategies! Haha, he is a great man and lucky to have you. But that is not the best part… Alistair has asked that I help command his and your armies while you are away and that he will need his new brother close by. To have the King as family… amazing, just simply amazing. You did well sis.
Lots of Love dear sister,
Sincerely Teyrn Fergus Cousland, brother to the Queen.
One more thing sister, - Alistair said he would send you a surprise in a letter. I don't know what it means but he said you'd love it.
- END OF LETTER -
I breathe out a deep sigh and bring the letter close to my chest. I wouldn't trade family for anything in the world. Taking it easy and trying to hold in the excitement of recieving a letter from… my husband? Was it alright to say that? Or should I call him Alistair as I always have? My head is starting to hurt… I should hurry up and open it because the suspense is killing me. The content of the letter reads thusly:
To the Queen of Ferelden, my dearest wife, Mrs. Nymeria Theirin,
My love, it has been awhile since we have exchanged thoughts… oh maker, how did I get so bad at this?
Haha, your presence always made me nervous but now, just by writing to you I feel you are siting across from me. I miss the way you would correct me if I was wrong, the way your hair smelt… Maker, why are you so cruel? I am the King for Maker's sake! Why can't my own Queen be by my side when I want- need her.
Forgive me my love, I miss everything about you… Usually I would be fearful of writing things to you… in fear that our enemies are always watching, but this time I know and trust the sender with this important letter that bears my feelings for you. My whole body yearns for you, dear. Some nights I just lay awake, wondering if you are too… I don't plan to make this letter long as I want you by my side so I can express my feelings… and maybe then they won't sound so bad. You know how nervous I can get… I'm glad your my Queen. Remember when we were on the mission together? Remember our first meeting? Hahah I keep thinking that even though I was the senior grey warden out of us that I was really a coward.
I was but a boy in our first meeting and you made me a man -no, you made me a King.
Hopefully soon we can go visit Duncan and the other wardens' graves… to pay our respects, together? Considering that he saved us both and that we couldn't have achieved the position of rulers of Ferelden without him bringing us together.
My love, I wouldn't have chosen a better sister in arms to become my wife.
On a last note… you will love the messenger I chose. He has another message for you as well.
With love and sincerity,
Your handsome husband, Alistair Theirin.
- END OF LETTER -
I put the letter in one of my pockets and run to find the Seneschal. "Seneschal!" I called out in desperation. "What is going on?"
As I burst into the throne room, everyone staring at me, I see my surprise. And Maker, what a surprise it was. "It can't be…" I stutter in disbelief. "What about the armies?"
"He sent me to personally bring back his Commander." said the surprise man.
I run up to him and hug him. I know it is not very lady like, let alone queen like! But what can one do when reunited with their only living blood relative? "Fergus…" I muttered as a tear rolled off my cheek, hitting my red dress. I had taken my armor off for the day and decided to wear something a bit more queenly. Thank the Maker I had.
"Excuse me your Highness but does the Teyrn intend to stay for the night? Shall I have a room prepared?" inquired one of the attendants.
"How long will you be staying?" I hold my breath, waiting for his reply.
"I am to leave tomorrow midday with her Highness, the Queen. King's orders I'm afraid."
"If only he would make them more often. That answers your question, please prepare the guest room closest to mine."
I move towards the Seneschal and we all trade battle stories as it nears dinner time.
- Dinner Time -
As the guest and a high ranking member of court, Fergus would have been seated at the other end of the table. As this would have made conversation nearly impossible with him because of everyone else in between, I made sure he was seated at my right, usually Varel's seat. Although, he did not seem to mind as he acknowledged his presence. Had it of been Oghren or Anders who took his seat, then it would have been a battle of the ages.
"Teyrn Cousland. I hear that you have been given a position beside the King?" Varel started politely.
"It helped being his brother-in-law. So, I can thank my sister here for that. You've been taking care of her well?" Fergus inquired curiously, dismissing the question that would have led to a topic about him as he was eager to hear of his younger sister's more impressive achievements.
"Of course, Teyrn. It has been an honour to serve under the Hero and Queen of Ferelden." Varel replied in a tone that showed he was truly happy to serve the Queen.
I reached over to grab the last piece of chicken with my fork, and was intercepted by my own brother's. The tension in the room grew as everyone understood that I was always the one who got the last piece. "Just like old times, sister." "Oh, bring it on, Fergus!" As the flames grew in his eyes, the ice grew in mine. Oghren interjected, "That's enough little Couslands!" and grabbed the last piece of chicken in his hands and threw it down his throat. "Do you really wish to start another civil war, Oghren?!" "Counting on it. Then we could smash more heads and drink more wine!" he yelled, as if to wake the whole keep.
"Alright sister, enough. We have much to discuss, so please excuse us." getting up, Fergus brought a hand around to help me up. He was becoming even more of a gentleman than he was the the night before Howe killed mother and father.
"Then we shall retire for the evening. Good night everyone."
Everyone repeated, "Goodnight, milady."